In 2017, Taito began a special line of Hatsune Miku prize figures. Each figure was based on an illustration from a famous artist and embodied the spirit of a season: Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer. In each, Miku seemed cuter than the last.
On my first trip to Japan, I was lucky enough to win the Hatsune Miku Spring figure for 2018, also known as the Haru Fuku ver. (Spring Clothes version). Even though the figure is over a year old, I thought that with the Spring season blooming, it would be apt to revisit one of my favorite figures.
Company: Taito
Artist: Kanzaki Hiro
Release Date: April 2018
Height: ~ 17cm or 6.7inches
Compared to the rest of the seasonal Mikus, the Haru Fuku version looks significantly younger. It’s definitely those big bright eyes and rosy cheeks that create such a youthful appearance. She almost reminds me of a kid heading off on a big adventure, and the sculpt of her face, especially the open smiling mouth, communicates that child-like wonder. The figure also captures a vibrant energy. I’m not quite sure if she’s running or posing for a photo, but it doesn’t really matter. She’s just so darn cute. The finger poking her cheek, with her arm and leg raised is a happy moment captured in time.
This figure is a bit of an odd one as the details are both the best and worst part of it. Since we’re in the pros section, let’s focus on my favorite details. From the top up, I adore the flowers around each of her pigtails. You can see each petal and it’s incredible that no paint spilled over to the yellow centre. Speaking of her hair, the dynamic flow of it helps frame the figure. I love the matching gradient on her stocking as well as the hair. The seams of her dress and the pleats are pretty realistic and help create a sense of movement. But the best piece of all is her backpack. The handle, zippers, and print of her name all add something special to this piece.
One small detail of the seasonal Mikus that I truly appreciate is the base. Each base is clear and features a white stencil around the ring. For this Spring Miku, we have flowers and ribbons that match those on the figure. The quality of the seasonal Miku series continues to blow me away.
This may sound like a copout, but I really can’t think of any major cons with this figure. It’s almost perfect. But, since I am reviewing it, I’ll have to look with a very critical eye. So almost perfect is not quite perfect. My first issue you can only see if you look closely. Along Miku’s hair you can see glue seams. It looks messy, and it would have been better if the seams were at the back of her head around than the front.
My second issue with the Hatsune Miku Haru Fuku ver. is that she’s over-accessorized from the waist down. There are just too many details. The skirt of her dress doesn’t need the two sets of bows on either side or the big bow at the back of her waist. Her stockings are cute enough with the gradient and white frills at the top. They don’t need the extra white flower print. Her aqua tie is unique enough, it doesn’t need a random purple square at the end. Sometimes artists get really excited with a design. They want to put every great idea in. But too many ideas can look a bit messy.
The Hatsune Miku Haru Fuku ver. Figure is an adorable addition to any collection. It has a youthful vibrance, perfect for the joy of spring. However, poor Miku does have a bit of an issue with detailing. Too many bows and random extras border on messiness. But, for a prize figure, it is lovely and of great quality. It is figure guaranteed to make you take a moment and smell the roses.
If you’d like a Hatsune Miku Haru Fuku ver. of your own, check out our Otsukai service:
The summer anime season is over. We had a few refreshing titles that kept us company through the hot months, but fall is bringing so many new titles and a few sequels we’ve been waiting for a long time.
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